- 01
You are the proof
Put your face in the first photo, explain your background in two sentences and show something you have already made. Backers back people first and plans second.
- 02
Keep the scope small
The first milestone should fit one person's time and skills. Outsource only what you cannot do, and give those costs their own milestone so Backers see them.
- 03
Protect your time
Post proof when a step is done, answer chat once or twice a day and keep your story current. A steady rhythm builds more trust than bursts of activity.
Risks to plan for
- R1
Parts become unavailable
A chosen component may disappear before the pilot build. Record suitable alternatives during design work and leave budget for checking substitutions before ordering a batch.
- R2
Enclosure fit problems
A circuit that works on a bench may not fit its case or connectors. Use the second milestone for physical fit checks before committing the largest share to pilot production.
- R3
Pilot units fail testing
Repeated use may expose faults absent from a single demonstration. Define reliability checks before the pilot build and retain testing budget for inspection and redesign work.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a hardware gadget dream in Munich, shown in EUR. Backers are charged the equivalent in US dollars.
Example goal
€45,000
- Design and prototype iterations€11,250 · 25%
- Components tooling and pilot production€20,250 · 45%
- Testing and design verification€9,000 · 20%
- Packaging and support preparation€4,500 · 10%
What you receive
- Backers give
- €45,000
- Platform fee (15%)
- −€6,750
- You receive
- €38,250
Example milestone plan
An example plan for a hardware gadget dream with a goal of €45,000. Backers fund the whole goal, but each milestone's money stays held until you post the proof and Backers release it.
Milestone 1
€9,000 · 20%
Prove the key function
Post a bench demonstration, a component shortlist and measured results showing the gadget’s main function in a basic prototype.
Milestone 2
€11,250 · 25%
Refine the physical design
Share enclosure drawings, revised circuit photos and assembly notes showing fit checks and changes from the first prototype.
Milestone 3
€18,000 · 40%
Build the pilot batch
Upload pilot unit photos, supplier invoices and a build record tracking assembly issues and component substitutions.
Milestone 4
€6,750 · 15%
Complete reliability checks
Post test logs, inspection photos and final assembly instructions with a summary of unresolved limits and planned support.
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to release their share or ask for more. Money not released in time goes back to the Backer.
15% fee, deducted — never added
Backers pay exactly what they choose. The 15% fee comes out of each backing: €100 gives the Dreamer €85. The fee is kept if money is returned.
Gifts, not shares
Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.
Questions and answers
Can I raise support before I know the final unit design?
Show the function you have demonstrated and the design questions still open. Separate prototype refinement from pilot production so Backers can review fit checks before the largest manufacturing commitment.
Is a pilot batch the same as being ready for mass production?
No. A pilot batch helps reveal assembly problems, component issues and testing needs at a limited scale. State its intended size and evidence clearly without presenting it as proof that larger production is ready.
Can one person really fund a hardware gadget dream?
Yes. Backers do not require a company. They need to understand your goal and see proof as you go, and a small first milestone is the best way to show you deliver.
Ready when you are
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